TCAT: You can take the mask off, now

TCAT announced Wednesday that riders no longer need to wear masks, required on public transportation for more than two years.

“Our drivers and front-line employees did a remarkable job with mask compliance, which hasn’t always been easy when you consider that some spend eight to 10 or more hours in the driver’s seat,” said TCAT Assistant General Manager Mike Smith. “I thank our passengers too for their cooperation and masking up throughout this lengthy pandemic season. And of course, any rider still has the option to wear a mask according to their personal preferences.”

TCAT's announcement follows a tweet from Gov. Kathy Hochul, lifting the mask mandate on public transportation.

“Starting today, masks will be optional in some places where they had previously been required, including on mass transit,” Hochul tweeted.

However, she added, masking requirements remain in effect for state-regulated health-care facilities and clinical settings.

9 cases reported in Cortland County
Cortland County reported nine cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,157, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 27 new cases Wednesday, the state reported. The three counties have seen 54,869 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 382.

• One COVID patient was admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Friday, the state Health Department reported Saturday. The hospital had five COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 733 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Sept. 2. The state Health Department reports 297,529 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 12 new cases Wednesday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,144. The state reports 3,044,481 tests have been administered. Ninety-one Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 15 new cases Wednesday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 18,568. The state reports 380,524 tests have been administered, and 163 people have died.

Cortland rate at 128 per 100,000
Cortland County had 61 new cases of COVID-19 between Aug. 30 and Monday, giving it a rate of 128.20 cases per 100,000 people, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

It had a “low” risk, under CDC guidelines. Under metrics and guidance from the CDC — which take into account the number of new cases in a week, the number of hospitalizations and hospital capacity:

• In counties with a “high risk,” wearing a mask in indoor public places is still recommended.
• In counties with a “medium risk,” people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. People at a high risk for severe illness should consult their healthcare provider about the need for a mask or other precautions.
• In counties with a “low risk,” no additional precautions beyond staying up to date with vaccines and getting tested if one has symptoms are recommended.

The rates and risk, from the CDC:
Cortland: 128.20 — low
Tompkins: 188.88 — low
Cayuga: 134.51 — medium
Onondaga: 122.25 — medium
Broome: 170.61 — medium
Chenango: 146.16 — high
Tioga: 149.37 — medium
Madison: 84.58 — low